George H.W. Bush Challenges GOP On No-Tax Pledge: ‘Who The Hell Is Grover Norquist, Anyway?’

[kpete]

George H.W. Bush Challenges GOP On No-Tax Pledge: ‘Who The Hell Is Grover Norquist, Anyway?’
By Travis Waldron on Jul 13, 2012 at 11:12 am

Grover Norquist, the anti-tax activist who authored a no-new-taxes pledge popular among GOP politicians, has called Republicans who raised taxes “rat heads in a Coke bottle.” A former Republican president who raised taxes during his administration, however, is now challenging Republicans to set aside the Norquist pledge.

In an interview with Parade Magazine, George H. W. Bush, who broke his “no new taxes” election pledge, said he didn’t like the “rigidity” of pledges like Norquist’s. “Who the hell is Grover Norquist, anyway?” Bush added:

PARADE: During your presidency you gave in on your “no new taxes” pledge. You’ve been vindicated in many respects for that decision. I wonder how you view the “no new tax” pledge from Grover Norquist that seems to be requisite for GOP political candidates.

GB: The rigidity of those pledges is something I don’t like. The circumstances change and you can’t be wedded to some formula by Grover Norquist. It’s—who the hell is Grover Norquist, anyway?

BB: I think he ought to go back to Alaska. (laughs)Don’t quote me! (A reference to a comment Mrs. Bush made about Sarah Palin in a 2010 interview, in which she said, “I think she’s very happy in Alaska—and I hope she’ll stay there.”)

http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/07/13/516248/george-bush-grover-norquist/

[liberal N proud]

1. who the hell is Grover Norquist, anyway?

[Wounded Bear]

2. He's speaking from experience...

He broke his "Read my lips, no new taxes pledge" and his base deserted him. The only one term president in many years, discounting those who took office by succession.

[shanti]

11. one term president

yes, but if he'd had the supremes in his pocket then, he would have surely gotten a second term! he made sure his son was though.

[iemitsu]

3. how dare any bush do or say anything

to make himself seem reasonable or likable?
this demonstrates just how crazy and irresponsible the current republican party is.

[Lucy Goosey]

4. Oh, that's just perfect!

I'm no Bush fan, but "who the hell is G.N.?" is comedy gold.

[JHB]

5. Remember "read my lips, no new taxes", Poppy?

Grover is one of the main guys who made you say that, and made sure that you got crucified for admitting it was unsustainable.

I realize you're of the "speak no ill of a fellow Republican" generation, but there's no need to be so passive these days. You know damn well who he is and that he'll burn the whole country down to get his way.

I suggest actively denouncing him for the dangerous radical he is. What can he do to you now?

[randome]

6. Norquist is leaving the stage.

He's dying the death of a thousand cuts, too. It's about fucking time.

[lunatica]

7. Breaking: Kettle calls the pot black

It's kinda fun sometimes to watch the Republican party eat their own for a change

[rurallib]

8. bet this means Poppy isn't going to run for office again

maybe it'll fuck up Jebby also.

[Raster]

9. Oh no. Jebby is getting cleaned up for his turn in 2016.

Gotta fulfill that bush* legacy.

[Blanks]

10. Jeb spoke out against Grover not too long ago.

Dubya also said he didn't like his tax cuts referred to as 'the Bush Tax Cuts'.

Perhaps they are gearing up for a Jeb run in 2016. We could probably say goodbye to the whole lot of them if Fox News went tits up between now and then.